Meghan Markle Wins Defamation Lawsuit Brought By Half-Sister Samantha

Last updated: March 13, 2024 5:00 AM

2 Min Read

Sign up for the Socialite Life newsletter. A three-time weekly dose of divas, drag queens, hot male celebrities, models, & pop culture news. Get it in your inbox.

The Florida district court judge has dismissed Samantha Markle‘s defamation lawsuit against her half-sister, Meghan Markle, with prejudice due to a lack of evidence to support a claim for defamation.

Samantha, 59, made her third attempt to file a case against Meghan, 42, for allegedly defaming her during a 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, where Meghan revealed that she had grown up as an only child and did not have a strong connection with Samantha.

Prince Harry Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle Duchess of Sussex - Endeavour Fund Awards — Meghan Markle Duchess of Sussex at the annual Endeavour Fund Awards held at Mansion House in London. Their Royal Highnesses will celebrate the achievements of wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women who have taken part in remarkable sporting and adventure challenges over the last year. (Photo Credit: ALPR/AdMedia)

According to Samantha, Meghan labeled her as an opportunist and caused harm to her reputation and credibility.

According to Samantha, Meghan’s half-sister from their father Thomas Markle‘s previous marriage, Meghan is accused of exposing her to “worldwide” humiliation, shame, and hatred. Samantha also claims that Meghan fabricated a “false” story of starting from poverty and rising to royalty, which has damaged her reputation.

Samantha, a wheelchair user with multiple sclerosis, was requesting $75,000 in compensation.

Meghan Markle Celebrity Sightings in New York City - 31716 — Meghan Markle is seen at AOL Build in New York City. (Photo by: KGC-146/ STAR MAX)

In the past, legal actions against Meghan for allegations of defamation were dismissed in both 2022 and 2023. This decision was made by a judge who stated that the defendant’s statement regarding her childhood and relationship with her half-siblings was simply an expression of their opinion. Therefore, the court concluded that the statement could not be objectively verified or proven through empirical evidence.

U.S. District Court Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell declared on Monday that the case was dismissed and closed permanently, as Samantha was unable to provide any evidence to support her claim of defamation or defamation-by-implication.

LINK LOVE

Brad Pitt is demanding Angelina Jolie’s private messages to The Stoli Group in Winery lawsuit. [Celebitchy]
Rita Ora is being very Rita Ora with her streetwear. [Go Fug Yourself]
Dexter: Resurrection if bloody delightful! [Pajiba]
Ralph Lauren was all over Wimbledon. [Red Carpet Fashion Awards]
We are down to the final four at Wimbledon. [Kenneth in the 212]